Skills, Lifelong Learning and Apprenticeships: Are we ready for the future of education outside the three-year degree? 

Wednesday 13th March 2024. 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Grimond Room, Portcullis House.

This meeting examined the long-term future of education and considered ideas for meeting the immediate skills needed in the UK today. 

Issues debated included: 

• How can education today solve the problems of tomorrow? 
• What do students need from skills education? 
• What would a truly lifelong education look like, and how would this change the face of the student population? 
• How can we ensure that local skills provision affords everyone opportunity? 

You can read a summary of the meeting here: APPG Students Tertiary education – Write-up

A bed for every student? Finding a Way through the Student Housing Crisis 

Wednesday, February 21st 2024, 3.30 to 5.00pm.

Wilson Room, Portcullis House

 This meeting focused on four core questions:  

• Are students more vulnerable as renters than other tenants, and if so, why? What can be done about this? 
• What can be done to raise the quality of student housing in the UK? 
• What can be done about the cost of student housing: does rent rise quicker for students? 
• What are the issues with availability of suitable housing stock? 

You can read a summary of the meeting here: APPG Students A Bed for Every Student – transcript

Students & Work: What impact is part-time and full-time work having on the student experience? 

Tuesday, November 21st 2023, 3.30 pm. Grimond Room, Portcullis House.

This meeting will examine the student experience of work while studying; we will hear from students and recent graduates first hand on the impact that working while studying has had on their academic experience, extra curricular participation and soft skills.

We will discuss what – if any – the acceptable level of part time work is during someone’s education, for both UK and international students.

You can read a summary of the meeting here: APPG-for-Students-Students-Work-Evidence-submission-

Students and the Renters’ Reform Bill 

Wednesday, July 5th 2023. 3:30pm-5pm. Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House

The Renter’s Reform Bill introduces new protections for tenants including student renters. It will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, introduce more flexible contracts as standard, and introduce rolling tenancies with two-month notice periods as standard.

The meeting discussed the implications of the bill for student renters and the opposition the bill has met from some quarters.

You can read a summary of the meeting here: APPG for Students Renters Reform Bill Meeting – Evidence Submission

Inquiry into the case for compensation for university students

The APPG launched an inquiry to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students’ tuition and accommodation, and the case for compensation.

Over the last ten months, universities have sought to maintain the best possible learning experience for students through the difficult and changing circumstances caused by the pandemic. However, there is some feeling from students that the offer has fallen below their expectations with regard to teaching and learning, access to facilities, and to resources.

There is also a specific concern about rent payments, acknowledged by the Prime Minister, from those who are contracted to pay for accommodation that they do not need due to Covid-19 restrictions as of 4th January.

Since the introduction of the further national lockdown this week, there has been growing pressure for some form of financial compensation. Our inquiry aims to examine the case for compensation, taking account of the widely varying experience faced by both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and to consider how it might be addressed.

Many students have lost an essential component of their income, through the lack of part-time work available in the hospitality and retail sectors. The Government has provided additional hardship funds to support students in need and suggested that those who are dissatisfied with their experience should raise the issue with their institutions, or through the Office for Students.

This is a deeply complex issues, with students affected in very different ways, between universities, courses and other circumstances.

Our report was published on March 29^th and can be read here: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/nus/pages/433/attachments/original/1679498709/APPG-Students-Report-Cost-of-Living-Inquiry-220323.pdf?1679498709

AGM: 15/06/21

The Annual General Meeting of the APPG on Students took place on June 15th at 2pm via Zoom and all MPs are welcome to attend.

January 2021 – Inquiry into into tuition and accommodations costs during Covid-19:
The Case for Compensation

The APPG held an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on university students and the case for compensation of tuition fees and rent. The inquiry was launched in response to growing demands for rent and fee refunds following the
additional disruption to university education as a result of the national lockdown announced on 4th
January. We received submissions from students, sector groups and landlords – and met with a
representative group for an open discussion of the evidence.

As a result of the inquiry the APPG recommended –

1. The Government should substantially increase hardship funding to address rental costs for student properties they cannot access, lost income, digital poverty and other unexpected costs.
2. In addition, the Government should consider the introduction of means-tested maintenance grants to assist the ‘Covid cohort’ with the costs they face.
3. The Government should work with landlords to introduce measures to temporarily increase flexibility for student accommodation to allow students to leave contracts they aren’t using more easily, and to reduce pressure on landlords.
4. Government should establish a ‘Covid Student Learning Remediation Fund’, to allow lost learning to be addressed  through provision of educational opportunities not available through the pandemic.
5. The Government should work with Universities to ensure that there is a national ‘safety net’ to maintain academic integrity across institutions and ensure that students can progress in a way that takes account of the practical, social  and emotional challenges they have had to face as a result of the pandemic.
6. UKRI studentships for PGR students should be extended to allow research to be finished to usual high standards, in circumstances where lockdown has affected access to facilities and resources. Consideration should also be given to support for self-funded students.

Read the full report here.

15th December 2020 – Q&A with Universities Minister

The APPG hosted a Q&A event with the Universities Minister to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions directly on the government’s response to the pandemic. Questions were asked on guidance for the Christmas break and January return, access to teaching and learning for students, accommodation and many other topics.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

20th October 2020 – Return to further education

Members met to hear directly from students and student officers on how they think students return to campus in further education has been managed in light of COVID-19. Attendees discussed some of the issues that have been facing students who have already returned to college campuses, including mental health support, safety concerns and teaching and learning.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

6th October 2020 – Return to campus – Students’ views on how the return to campus has been managed

The APPG held an emergency meeting to hear from students and student officers on their experiences of the return to campus. During the meeting a number of concerns were raised including access to testing for coronavirus, confusion around the messaging for test and trace procedures, access to online learning, accommodation charges, treatment of students whilst they are self-isolating and student mental health.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

3 March 2020 – Perspectives on Student Finance

The APPG hosted an evidence to session to hear the views of student representatives on the current student finance systems across the UK. Attendees discussed the different costs that students are faced with and how the current system caters for this as well as the effects that the current system has on students, in terms of their mental health, non-continuation rates and social injustice. Evidence was also heard on information, advice and guidance available to students and the differences between the funding councils across the UK. Special attention was given to nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare students due to the difference in their funding system.

Following this meeting a report on the topic was produced, which you can read here.

28 January 2020 – AGM and ‘Student Minds University Mental Health Charter’

The APPG met to hear from Student Minds who presented their University Mental Health Charter. The start of the event hosted the Group’s AGM whereby the Chair, Paul Blomfield MP and Vice-Chairs, Caroline Lucas MP, Alison Thewliss MP and Jo Stevens MP were all re-elected. Jane Hunt MP and Lord Willetts were also elected as Vice-Chairs. Attendees heard from Rossie Tressler OBE, CEO, Student Mind, Eva Crossan Jory, Vice President for Welfare, National Union of Students, Lubaba Khalid, Vice President of Welfare, Westminster SU and Nabeela Mowlana, Welfare Officer, Sheffield Hallam SU. Attendees also discussed the effects of financial pressures, cost of living and increasing rents on student mental health.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

30 April 2019 – BME Attainment Gap in UK Universities (joint event with the All-Party Universities Group)

The APPG hosted a joint meeting with the All-Party Universities Group on the black attainment gap in universities. The event was a special preview of an upcoming report on the BME attainment gap from both the National Union of Students (NUS) and Universities UK (UUK). Attendees heard from two guest speakers which included; Baroness Valerie Amos, Director at SOAS University and Amatey Doku, Vice President (Higher Education) at the NUS. The event itself was attended by Parliamentarians, student representatives and Vice-Chancellors from across the country with an interest in understanding and tackling the black attainment gap in higher education. The purpose of the event was to provide a platform for delegates and Parliamentarians to get an exclusive look into the themes of the report and ask questions in relation to the research and overarching findings.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

31 October 2018 – AGM & Student mental health strategy: In conversation with Nicola Dandridge

The APPG met to hear from the Office for Students (OfS), and the mental health strategy they are hoping to implement to tackle the current mental health crisis facing students. The start of the event hosted the Group’s annual AGM whereby the Chair, Paul Blomfield MP and Vice-Chairs, Nicky Morgan MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Alison Thewliss MP and Jo Stevens MP were all re-elected. The event itself was attended by Parliamentarians, student and sector representatives from across the country with an interest in mental health particularly in higher education. The purpose of the event was to provide a platform for the OfS to present exclusively to the APPG and key stakeholders on their plans, aims and actions regarding student mental health. Attendees highlighted the challenges facing students in both further and higher education in accessing mental health provision and the pressure on our health services and institutions to deliver.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

12 June 2018 – The importance of student engagement: in conversation with Philip Augar

The APPG met to discuss the Post-18 Education and Funding review with guest speaker, Chair of the independent review panel, Philip Augar. The event was attended by Parliamentarians, and a large number of student representatives from across the country with an interest and notably housing. The purpose of the event was to provide a platform to allow for dialogue between student representatives, Parliamentarians and Philip Augar regarding the review – the process, its aims and priorities. Attendees highlighted the challenges facing students in both further and higher education, including comments on rising costs of accommodation, access and participation, and how the review can help better integrate higher and further education.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

30 January 2018 – Addressing Student Mental Health

The APPG met to discuss the rise of mental health difficulties facing students across the whole of education and the current state of mental health provision available. The event was attended by Parliamentarians, student representatives and organisations with an interest in education, and notably housing. Attendees heard from David Hughes, CEO at the Association of Colleges, Ruth Spellman, CEO at Workers’ Education Association and Jack Robinson, Democracy and Campaigns Officer at University of East Anglia, Students’ Union. Attendees also discussed the challenges for students in further education in accessing mental health care services and spoke about the detrimental effect cuts in such services has had on what higher education institutions can provide for students.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

20 December 2017 – The State of Student Housing

The APPG met to discuss the current state of student housing accommodation, in particular issues facing students with regard to affordability, quality and safety. The event was attended by Parliamentarians, student representatives and organisations with an interest in education, and notably housing. Attendees heard from Martin Blakey, Chief Executive of student housing charity Unipol, Sarah Jones, Director of Research and Development at Empiric Student Property, Izzy Lenga, Vice-President of Welfare at the National Union of Students and Abdi Duale, student representative from GSM London. Attendees also discussed about the role of higher education institutions in providing good quality accommodation for students.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

12 September 2017 – Just how powerful is the student voice? Listening to students after the General Election

The APPG met to discuss the impact the student voice had in the 2017 General Election, the concerns and issues facing students during the election, and what their increased turnout means for young people and politics in the future. The event was attended by parliamentarians, students’ union officers, and organisations with an interest in the further and higher education sector and student political engagement. Attendees heard from Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Amy Smith, President of Sheffield College Students’ Union, and Shakira Martin, President of the National Union of Students (NUS). Attendees discussed the breadth of issues beyond education funding that students were concerned about during the election, and suggested ways to sustain and strengthen the student voice moving forward.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

11 July 2017 – Inaugural Meeting

The APPG held its inaugural meeting to elect Officers, reappoint the National Union of Students as the Secretariat for the Group, and discuss the proposed work plan for the year ahead. It was decided that the first four meetings of the APPG would cover:

• understanding the student voice in and after the General Election
• student housing
• mental health in further and higher education
• readdressing Brexit once there is clarity

You can read the full minutes here and access the 2017/18 work plan here.

28 March 2017 – Keeping opportunities open: Addressing the decline in part-time and mature study

The APPG met to discuss the decline in numbers of part-time and mature students. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians, students’ union officers, and organisations and academics in the higher education sector. Speeches were made by Jonathan Waller, Director of Information and Analysis at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Hana Faber from Birkbeck Union, and Nicola Simpson, Acting President of the Open University Student Association. The speeches were followed by questions and discussion from attendees on topics including funding differences between full-time and part-time students, EU trends, retention rates, and the risk of ‘investing in yourself’.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

21 February 2017 – What does Brexit mean for students?

The APPG met to discuss the impact of Brexit on students. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians, students’ union officers, and organisations and academics with interest in students, young people and Brexit. The Group heard from Beth Button, Executive Committee Member at the European Students’ Union, Gemma Gray, Communication Manager at the Erasmus Student Network UK, and Lina Dobreva, Vice-President for Education at University of Sunderland Students’ Union. Discussion at the event focussed on the priorities for students and young people for Brexit, as well as the everyday impact and practical concerns.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

15 November 2016 – Is the culture changing? Sexual harassment of students and next steps after the ‘Changing the Culture’ taskforce report

The APPG met to discuss sexual harassment and sexual assault on campus, in light of the Universities UK (UUK) taskforce report released on Friday 21 October on violence against women, harassment and hate crime on campus. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians, students’ union officers, and organisations and academics with interest in the higher education sector and in combating sexual violence. The Group heard speeches from Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK and chair of the taskforce, Laura Bates, Founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, and Jess Lishak, student representative on the UUK taskforce. The event covered the taskforce’s recommendations and the steps that need to be taken to build long-lasting change around sexual violence at universities.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

7 September 2016 – Access all areas?: a look at access, participation and higher education reform

The APPG met to discuss access and participation in the context of the government’s reforms to higher education. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians, students’ union officers, and organisations in the higher education and further education sectors. Speeches were made by Samuel Light (student with IntoUniversity), Mary Malcolm (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Bedfordshire), Chris Pane (President, Open University Students Association) and Les Ebdon (Director of Fair Access, OFFA), followed by questions and discussion from attendees. The event reflected on the access and participation in relation to the Higher Education and Research Bill, best practice at higher education institutions, and recommendations for schools, colleges and third sector groups.

You can read a summary of the event and the recommendations made here.

4 July 2016 – Student roundtable with the Universities Minister, Jo Johnson MP

Following its AGM, the APPG invited students from across the country to Westminster for a roundtable with the Minister for Universities to discuss the government’s direction of higher education reform. The discussion focused on the Higher Education and Research Bill and the accompanying White Paper.

Minister Jo Johnson opened the meeting with introductory remarks about the Bill, and Sorana Vieru, Vice President (Higher Education) at the National Union of Students presented a ‘students’ response’. The meeting then gave opportunity to MPs, Peers and – above all – students in attendance to question the Minister about the Bill, the White
Paper and wider higher education reforms.

You can read a summary of the meeting here.

4 July 2016 – AGM

The APPG held its annual general meeting in July. The Group re-elected Paul Blomfield MP as its chair for the coming year, and re-elected Ben Howlett MP, Alison Thewliss MP, Jo Stevens MP and Caroline Lucas MP as its Vice-Chairs.

For further information, you can read a summary of the meeting here.

25 May 2016 – Students as consumers in their education: where student fees go and how universities explain their financial decisions to students, the public and government

In the APPG on Students’ first ever joint meeting with the APPG on Universities, the Group heard from Simon Gaskell (Principal, Queen Mary University of London), Nick Hillman (Director, HEPI) and Sorana Vieru (Vice President (Higher Education), National Union of Students).

You can read the summary of May’s event here.

The event covered the diverse financial decisions and considerations made by universities, the information made available to students about the spending of their institution, and the extent to which students are acting as consumers. The event considered the implications that these all have for the engagement of students in their education and the impact that a
consumer narrative has on disempowering students.

13 April 2016 – Stopping sexual harassment and assault, on and off campus

You can read the summary of April’s event on sexual harassment here.

The APPG heard from the Chair of the Taskforce on sexual violence, harassment and hate crime at universities – Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK – about the taskforce’s progress, developing recommendations and what universities are doing to tackle sexual harassment against students. Roberta Huldisch from Cambridge Students’ Union’s Women’s campaign and Bryony Beynon from Good Night Out and Hollaback! London also joined the Group.

For further information about any of the related issues, you can read the APPG’s briefing on sexual
harassment and assault here.

23 February 2016 – Barriers to student volunteering

You can read the summary of February’s roundtable on student volunteering here.

Marking the fifteenth anniversary of Student Volunteering Week, this event explored barriers that prevent students volunteering – from lacking time to insufficient funding to the availability of expert support to set up and run volunteering projects. The event heard from Georgia Price, a student volunteer from the University of Bristol, Richard Brooks, a Vice President at the National Union of Students, and Kerri Hall, Education Manager at Step Up to Serve.

For further information, you can read the APPG’s briefing on student volunteering here.

14 December 2015 – Student mental health

You can read the minutes of December’s event on student mental health here. This event explored new research findings that 78 per cent of students in a recent survey had experienced mental health difficulties in the last twelve months. The event particularly considered the problems that students experience while making the transition to a new university or college.

The event heard from Rosie Tressler, Chief Executive of Student Minds, Dr Ruth Caleb, Chair of the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education group, Maddy Kirkman, Disabled Students’ Officer at the National Union of Students, and James Morris MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health. Paul Blomfield MP chaired.

The new research findings are available here. The APPG briefing for the event is available here.

9 November 2015 – Roundtable on integrating students within local communities

You can read a full summary of the meeting on the role students play within local communities.

The roundtable was chaired by Ben Howlett MP, and heard presentations from Mark Stanley, Vice President – Societies and Community at Bangor Students’ Union; Dot Kirk and Hattie Clark from Brighton Students’ Union’s community organising team; and, Cllr Anita Lower, the Local Government Association’s spokesperson on anti-social behaviour. The roundtable discussed the problems shared by students and non-student residents in local communities, and explored the ways in which students’ unions are proactively working to lead community responses to them.

14 July 2015 – Voter registration and integrated enrolment

You can read a full summary of the meeting on voter registration and intergrated enrolment.

We were joined at the meeting by Nicky Old, Head of Political Affairs and Deputy Director of Communications at Universities UK (UUK), who presented findings on voter registration activities from their survey of their membership. The full report on UUKs findings can also be read here. Nicky also provided an evaluation of Sheffield University’s integrated enrolment process and presented learning from this.

13 July 2015 – APPG on Students parliamentary reception

The APPG on Students hosted a parliamentary reception for students’ unions, parliamentarians and education sector organisations.

Paul Blomfield MP, Chair of the Group, welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of a cross-party group in Parliament which looks at the variety of issues impacting students.

NUS President Megan Dunn spoke about the challenges ahead for students and the student movement, saying she would work alongside students’ unions to influence decision makers and show them “the struggle to meet the costs” faced by those in further and higher education.

During the evening, students’ unions were able to talk to their MPs about the issues they are campaigning on.

          

Above left: Paul Blomfield MP with attendees from Solent Students’ Union.  Above right: NUS President Megan Dunn

           

Above left: Conor Burns MP with Chloe Schendel-Wilson from Bournemouth Students’ Union and Jay Malpass-Clark from Leeds Beckett Students’ Union. . Above right:  Jo Stevens MP with Pok Fong and Vineeth Joseph from Hills Road College and Mahamid Ahmed from LSE Students’ Union.      

15 June 2015 – Extraordinary General Meeting.

Read a full summary of the APPG on Students Extraordinary General Meeting Extraordinary General Meeting.

Following the May General Election, the APPG on Students met to re-constitute the Group and elect new Officers.

The new Officer team was elected, with Paul Blomfield re-elected as Chair and Ben Howlett, Baroness Sharp, Caroline Lucas, Jo Stevens and Alison Thewliss all elected as Vice-Chairs.

The Group also discussed possible topics for the APPG on Students to focus on in 2015/2016 including: voter registration; students and communities; student mental health; student volunteering.

26 January 2015 – Roundtable on careers information, advice and guidance.

Read a full summary of the roundtable on careers information advice and guidance

On 26 January the APPG on Students hosted a roundtable on careers information advice and guidance.

Experts from across the careers advice sector were joined by parliamentarians, including Graham Stuart MP, chair of the education select committee, to discuss what good careers information, advice and guidance looks like.

Attendees discussed the fragmentation in the current system of careers advice, the need for better incentives for schools to prioritise careers advice and provide independent and impartial careers advice, what the role of employers in careers advice should be, and the need for quality careers advice in the work place and throughout people’s lives.

8 December 2014- APPG on Students reception

On 8 December the APPG on Students held its launch reception in Parliament.

Students’ union officers and student representatives from universities and colleges attended the launch event, as well as members of the leadership group from the National Society of Apprentices (NSoA). Parliamentarians came to meet with the student representatives from their constituencies. A number of representatives from higher and further education sector organisations also attend.

The Minister for Universities, Science and Skills Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP and Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne MP both spoke about the importance of improving engagement between students and parliamentarians and providing a forum for MPs and Peers to hear about the issues students care about and are campaigning on. Toni Pearce, NUS President, also spoke, as did Paul Blomfield MP, Chair of the APPG on Students.

From left to right: Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP, Minister for Universities, Science and Skills; Paul Blomfield MP, Chair of the APPG on Students; Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills.

3 November 2014- ‘Individual electoral registration: Getting students registered to vote’

Read a full summary of Individual Electoral Registration: getting students registered

At the first full meeting of the APPG on Students, Parliamentarians discussed the potential of integrating voter registration into course enrolment and mitigating some of the challenges in individual electoral voter registration. There was also discussion about how to overcome some of the practical barriers to integrated enrolment including concerns about data protection.

There were presentations on best practice from:

• John Tomlinson (Electoral Registration Officer, Sheffield City Council)
• Gareth Perry (Elections Officer, Lancaster City Council)
• Edward Clough, (Student Administrative Systems Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University)
• Louis Trup, President of Oxford University Students’ Union.

We were joined at the meeting by representatives from the Cabinet Office and a number of sector organisations including HEPI, UUK, Guild HE, Million+, UCU, and Bite the Ballot.

7 July 2014- Inaugural meeting

Read a summary of the APPG on Students inaugural meeting

At the inaugural meeting of the APPG on Students, the Group’s Officers were elected, and the support of the NUS as secretariat to the Group was agreed. Parliamentarians also discussed proposals for what the APPG on Students should focus on in its first year. Out of the discussion, it was decided the first four meetings of the APPG on Students would be:

• Voter registration
• Careers Information Advice and Guidance
• Students and employment
• Students and Communities